A welding pencil is used for small-scale welding, while larger jobs require a welding torch. A soldering pencil is used for delicate soldering work, connecting metal pieces with molten metal. Lead-free solder is now used, and a solder pencil is ideal for electronics where precise joints are required.
A welding pencil is a device used with welding to join two or more pieces of metal together. This type of welding is typically done for small metal objects or electrical components where small-scale, precise work may be required. Larger jobs, such as construction work or connecting large pieces of metal together, are typically done by using a welding torch and welding the pieces together. A soldering pencil is quite similar to a soldering gun, which may be more common, but is usually smaller and thinner, with a finer tip for more delicate or detailed soldering work.
Used in electrical engineering and circuit board design, a solder pencil allows someone to connect two or more pieces of metal together. This is done with another material called solder, which typically consists of a thin piece of molten metal from the tip of the pencil or solder gun. The molten solder is then applied to the connection point of the two pieces of metal and when the solder returns to a solid state it forms a strong bond between the other pieces.
Traditionally, soldering was often done using tin and lead, but in recent years the use of lead in soldering has been discouraged and may be illegal in some regions. Lead-free solder is still typically made with tin, but this is combined with other metals such as silver, copper and zinc. The solder is prepared in long, thin circular lengths, which are then rolled into a tight coil that allows the solder to be easily held in one hand. A user will hold the pencil or solder gun in the other hand, allowing them to quickly and easily work with solder to make connections in electrical and plumbing applications.
While a soldering gun can often be used and is typically a more popular choice with many users, a soldering pencil may be ideal for certain applications. These include electronics where small parts are used and precise joints are required for small connections to avoid damaging the electronics used. A solder pencil can be more expensive than a solder gun and may require more practice to use accurately, but it can create better results in circuit board design and similar applications. For use in electronics, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) safe soldering gun or pencil should be used to prevent accidental discharges that can damage components.
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